All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire

by Kerrelyn Sparks

  A loud cheer erupted from the waiting room. Connor’s announcement about Toni’s recovery had been well received.

  Shanna shook her head. “We shouldn’t celebrate just yet. She’s running a fever.”

  Ian said a silent prayer for Toni as he slipped off the gurney. Connor had brought him a navy polo shirt from the security office. He put it on and peeked out the door to see who was in the waiting room.

  His mouth fell open. Everyone was there. Jean-Luc and Heather from Texas. Angus, Emma, and Robby. Zoltan and Jack were there. Their burned wrists had been bandaged by Laszlo. Dougal was there, unharmed.

  Phineas’s shoulder was bandaged.

  Ian walked up to him. “Ye were injured?”

  “It’s nothing.” Phineas waved a dismissive hand. “Stan managed to poke me a little, that’s all.”

  “Did ye finish him off?”

  “I wish.” Phineas made a face. “When Carlos shifted into a panther, Stan freaked out and ran. Ran straight into the parking lot, and the women out there nearly tore him to shreds before he managed to teleport away.”

  “So he’s still alive.”

  “Yeah.” Phineas shrugged and winced. “I’ll have to watch my back from now on.”

  “Doona fash,” Dougal said. “We’ll watch yer back.”

  Ian spotted Carlos sitting between Sabrina and Teddy. Carlos must have called them about Toni.

  Teddy grinned as he approached. “Hey, man, I heard you guys defeated the evil forces.”

  “Toni killed Jedrek,” Ian said. “She was amazing.”

  Sabrina snorted. “She could have gotten herself killed. I told her to stay away from you…Vamps. It’s not safe to be around you.”

  “The mortal world is dangerous, too,” Carlos told her.

  “But Toni has no business trying to fight evil vampires,” Sabrina insisted. She glared at Ian. “I swear, if something happens to her, I’ll sue your ass. I’ll—”

  She paused when Constantine climbed up on the chair next to her. “My gosh, little boy, how did you get in here? What are you doing with these…people?”

  “These are my friends,” Constantine said. “I’m worried about Toni.”

  “Toni’s going to be all right,” Ian told the little boy. He just hoped it was the truth.

  Constantine gave Ian one of his bright, angelic smiles. “Good. I like Toni.”

  “Who are you?” Sabrina whispered.

  “I’m Constantine. My mommy is like you, and my daddy is a vampire.”

  Sabrina’s eyes widened with horror. “Oh my God.” She flinched when Tino touched her arm.

  Constantine gazed at her with his wide blue eyes. “It’s going to be all right.”

  Sabrina’s horrified expression slowly melted away. She glanced down at Constantine’s hand. “What did you do?”

  “You were hurting,” Tino said. “Do you feel better now?”

  “Yes.” Sabrina’s eyes widened with wonder. “I do.”

  This gave Ian an idea. “Tino, would ye like to see Toni?”

  Constantine jumped in his seat. “Yes! I like Toni.”

  Ian picked the boy up in his arms. “She’s still hurting. Do ye think ye can make her feel better?”

  “I’ll try.”

  In just the short amount of time it took to carry Constantine into the operating room, Ian noticed that the pain from his burns had lessened.

  “Hi, Mommy! Hi, Daddy!” Constantine grinned at his parents.

  “Goodness.” Shanna took him from Ian. “I thought you’d be asleep by now.”

  “I want to see Toni,” Tino announced.

  Shanna hesitated. “She’s not feeling well, sweetie.”

  Constantine stuck out his bottom lip. “I want to help her. I like Toni.”

  “All right, sweetie.” Shanna set him on the gurney next to Toni.

  He reached out to touch her, then withdrew his hand. “She’s hurt bad.” He stretched out beside her and wrapped his little fingers around her hand.

  “Look at this.” Roman motioned at the vital signs monitor.

  “Her fever’s going down,” Shanna whispered.

  Constantine yawned as he gazed at Toni. “She’s going to be like me.” His eyelids shut, and he drifted off to sleep.

  “Thank you, Tino.” Ian smoothed a hand over the little boy’s blonde curls.

  Toni was going to be all right.

  Toni woke slowly as if she were climbing out of a deep, dark hole.

  “Look. She’s coming to.”

  “Oh, thank God.”

  She heard Carlos’s voice, followed by Sabrina’s. Her eyes flickered open. Their faces hovered over her, their features fuzzy and unclear. She spotted another person at the foot of the bed. Ian? She blinked, trying to focus. What was wrong with her eyes?

  “Hi, Toni,” the third person said.

  “Oh.” She swallowed her disappointment. “Hi, Teddy.”

  “How do you feel, menina?” Carlos asked.

  “I’m fine, I think.” She lifted a hand to rub her eyes. “My eyes are burning.”

  “I was afraid of that,” Sabrina said. “They didn’t realize you wear contacts.” She fumbled in her handbag and pulled out a compact mirror.

  Toni sat up.

  “Careful.” Carlos grabbed the bed’s control device. “Let me adjust the bed for you.” With a humming noise, the back of the bed rose up to support her back.

  “I’m in a hospital?” Toni asked.

  “No, this is the operating room at Romatech,” Carlos explained. “Ian brought you here.”

  Toni tried to focus on the compact mirror. She removed one contact and passed it to Sabrina. “Where’s Ian? What time is it?” She removed the other contact.

  “It’s just after five.” Sabrina tossed the contacts in the trash.

  “In the morning?” Toni blinked.

  “Evening,” Teddy said. “You slept all day.”

  Toni looked at him. Then at Carlos and Sabrina. Then around the room. “Oh my gosh.”

  “What’s wrong?” Sabrina rushed back to her side.

  “My eyesight. It—it’s perfect. Without contacts.” She handed the compact back to Sabrina and looked around the room once more. Her sight was more than perfect. She could read the fine print on a poster across the room above the sink. It described the proper procedure for washing hands.

  She caught Carlos and Sabrina exchanging a worried look. Something was wrong. She lifted the sheet and blanket to look at her side. The last time she’d looked, there’d been a dagger stuck in her. She touched the area gingerly, expecting to feel some pain. Nothing.

  Underneath the sheet, she pulled up her hospital gown. She peeked at her side. There was a faint scar, barely noticeable. She touched the scar. No pain or tenderness. And all the bite marks that had dotted her torso were gone.

  Alarm crept into her. She must have slept for weeks to be this healed. “How long was I out? Was I in a coma?”

  “Menina.” Carlos touched her arm. “You were wounded last night.”

  “Last…but that doesn’t make sense.” She grabbed his hand. “Tell me what happened.”

  He winced. “Toni, lighten up. You’re about to crush my bones.”

  She released his hand. Her sense of alarm grew into full-fledged panic. “I hurt you?”

  Carlos flexed his fingers. “You seem a lot stronger.”

  “Oh my God.” Sabrina stepped back, her eyes widening.

  “Will someone please tell me what happened?” Toni grasped the railing beside her so she could lower it and get out of bed. She gave it a little push, and it broke completely off.

  Sabrina gasped.

  “She’s Superwoman!” Teddy announced, grinning.

  “What?” Toni dropped the bed railing, and it clattered on the floor. “Oh no.” Great eyesight, super strength. Was she still alive? She touched her teeth to see if she’d acquired any pointed fangs.

  “Relax, menina.” Carlos patted her arm. “You’re no
t a Vamp.”

  She exhaled with relief. “Oh, thank goodness. Not that I have anything against them. I’m really fond of them, and I love Ian. But I’d really hate to die and miss it. I mean, I’m glad I’m still alive. I really like to eat.” Good grief, she was babbling like an idiot. “I’m just so confused. How did I heal so fast?”

  Just then, Ian walked into the room, carrying two vases of flowers. He grinned at Toni. “Ye’re awake. How do ye feel?”

  “I have perfect eyesight.” She looked him over. He was looking great in his jeans and blue sweater that matched his eyes.

  “That’s good.” He set the vases on the counter.

  “I didn’t have perfect eyesight before,” Toni said.

  “What did you do to her?” Sabrina demanded. “She—she’s ripping the furniture apart with her bare hands!”

  “She’s Superwoman,” Teddy added.

  Ian looked at the broken railing on the floor.

  “It was an accident,” Toni said. “I didn’t mean to. I just pushed a little and…”

  Ian nodded. “We thought something like this might happen. Ye could have heightened senses and abilities.”

  Toni swallowed hard. “What kind of abilities?”

  “Ye’ll be verra strong and fast.” Ian walked toward her. “Constantine was the one who made us realize it when he said ye would be like him—mortal but with special powers. I hope ye doona mind.”

  “Mind?” Teddy said. “This is so awesome! Toni will be like the bionic woman, but without the metal parts.”

  Toni sat there, stunned. She glanced at Sabrina, and her friend was staring at her with a shocked expression. “How—what did you do to me?”

  “We gave you a blood transfusion.” Ian perched on the end of the bed. “My blood.”

  “You filled her up with vampire blood?” Carlos asked.

  “Awesome,” Teddy whispered.

  “Are you trying to turn her into a vampire?” Sabrina asked.

  “Nay.” Ian rested a hand on Toni’s foot. “We were only trying to heal her. Ye see, vampires heal naturally during our death-sleep because of our blood. We thought my blood might be able to heal Toni. And it did. Sorta.” He shrugged one shoulder. “Constantine helped, too.”

  Sabrina approached the bed. “That sweet little boy helped heal Toni? He—he helped me, too.”

  “You met Constantine?” Toni asked.

  Sabrina nodded. “You were right. He’s a very special child.” She turned to Ian at the foot of the bed. “Then Toni is still mortal?”

  “Aye. She’s entirely normal except for having a few extra abilities. We’re no’ exactly certain what kind of powers she’ll have.”

  Toni leaned back against the bed. Would she be able to levitate or teleport? “I—I’m really a Superwoman?”

  Ian smiled. “I’m just grateful I dinna lose you. I’ve never been more frightened in my life.”

  “Oh, Ian.” She reached a hand toward him, and he slid down the bed to take her hand and kiss it. “How are you? You had so many nasty burns.”

  “All healed.” He leaned closer to kiss her brow.

  “You must be hungry.” Carlos motioned for Teddy and Sabrina to come with him. “We’ll get you some food.”

  “We’ll be back.” Sabrina gave her a worried glance as she left the room.

  Ian looked her over carefully. “How do ye feel, sweetheart?”

  “I feel great.” She flung her arms around his neck and hugged him. “I’m so glad it’s all over. And I love those flowers. I can smell them from here.”

  “Aye, ye have stronger senses. The white lilies are from me, and the red roses are from Vanda.”

  “Vanda?”

  Ian grinned. “They’ve been showing yer assassination of Jedrek Janow on DVN. Ye’re a hero. And Vanda’s verra happy that he’s dead. I gather she had some bad history with him. Anyway, she wanted me to tell you that she was wrong about you. She says we’re perfect for each other, and ye should jump my bones at every opportunity.”

  “She said that?”

  Ian’s mouth twitched. “Well, I added that last part.”

  Toni snorted. “I’m glad Vanda decided I’m good enough. I should be now that I have some super Vamp abilities. It always irked me that you guys were superior.”

  “Toni, doona say that. I have never considered you less than worthy. Ye’ve always been brave and fearless. Ye rescued yer friend from her greedy uncle. And look at what ye did last night. Ye defied Jedrek’s mind control. He was desperately trying to stop you from staking him, and ye just kept coming. It was amazing. I doona know how ye did it.”

  “You don’t know how?” She touched his face. “It was simple. My love for you was more powerful than his hatred.”

  Ian took her hand and kissed it. “I love you, Toni. I admire you and respect you. Just the way ye are. Ye doona need vampire blood running in yer veins to be worthy. Ye were always a superwoman.”

  Tears filled her eyes. I am worthy to be loved.

  Ian squeezed her hand gently. “I have to tell you that yer new abilities may no’ be permanent. Our bodies replenish themselves over time. Of course, if ye want to retain some Vamp power, I’ll be happy to share my blood with you.”

  “I’ll share mine with you, too.” She grinned. “As long as our love is permanent, that’s all that matters.”

  He pulled her into his arms. “Ye will always have my love.”

  Epilogue

  Christmas Eve

  Dressed in his Santa suit, Ian set down his bulky red bag on the threadbare carpet. He’d teleported with Toni, who was wearing her elf costume beneath a red woolen coat. The wood frame house in rural Virginia was small—small enough that they had to very quiet. He could hear the parents snoring in a nearby bedroom, their four children crowded in a second bedroom.

  Sabrina had given them the information about this family. The father had been injured in a farm accident, and they were barely scraping by. Only four little presents, wrapped in newspaper, sat under the Christmas tree.

  Ian opened his sack, and Toni helped him remove several boxes of warm winter clothes. A plastic bag contained a frozen turkey. Then came the toys—a video game set, some books, and a pretty doll for the little girl.

  With his bag empty, Ian grabbed hold of Toni to teleport. She pointed up to the roof. With a wry look, he did as she asked.

  They landed on the roof, ankle-deep in snow.

  He held her steady. “Why did ye want to come up here?”

  “It’s more like Santa Claus. Where do we go now?”

  “Back to Romatech. My bag is empty.” He touched her red nose. “Are ye sure ye want to keep traveling with me? Ye look half frozen.”

  “I am, but this is just too cool. When I think about these people waking up in the morning to find all that stuff—I love it!” She flung her arms around his neck.

  “Careful.” He widened his stance. “These roofs can be verra slippery.”

  She cuddled up to him, then glanced down. “Either you have something in your pocket, or you’re getting excited.”

  “Both.” He reached in the pocket of his red velvet pants and felt the small black box. Should he give it to her now? Back at Romatech, they would be surrounded by noisy people, rushing to get all the presents out tonight.

  He looked around. Stars twinkled in a clear sky. Moonlight gleamed off white, snow-covered pastures. The air smelled of cedar and fresh snow. “This is a lovely spot, aye?”

  “Yes. Very peaceful.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “I have a present for you at the townhouse. But before I give it to you, I was hoping you’d tell me about that dream you had of me.”

  He kissed her brow. “I dreamed ye were round with child. Our child.”

  “Really?” She leaned back to look at him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I dinna want to push you into something ye might no’ want.” Although he hoped she did want children. He took the black box from his pocket. “I have a
present for you, if ye’ll accept it. I hope ye like it.” He opened the box to show her the ring.

  “Oh my.” She took the box. “It’s so…beautiful.”

  Ian went down on one knee. “Daytona Lynn Davis, will ye—” Snow shifted beneath him, then suddenly a block of snow went sliding down the roof, taking him with it.

  “Ian!” she cried.

  He went flying off the edge of the roof and fell on his back on a thick bank of snow. “Oof.”

  He saw Toni skidding down the roof like a surfer. She jumped off the edge and landed neatly beside him.

  She laughed. “Being a Superwoman has its perks. Are you okay?”

  “I was trying to propose.” He started to sit up.

  “Yes!” She flung herself on top of him, pushing him back onto the snow. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  He grinned. “We dinna lose the ring, I hope?”

  “Nope. Right here.” She showed him the box.

  He pulled off her mitten so he could slide on her ring. “I dinna know what else to get you for Christmas.”

  She hugged him there in the snow. “All I want for Christmas is my vampire.”

  Acknowledgments

  Ian MacPhie might still be looking for his true love if it wasn’t for the support and encouragement of some wonderful people. I’d like to thank my husband and children for enduring the terrors of Deadline Hell with me. My critique partners—Vicky, MJ, Vicky, and Sandy—are always there when I need them. My thanks to the West Houston, Northwest Houston, and PASIC chapters of RWA and the fabulous bookstore Katy Budget Books. My thanks also to my agent, Michelle Grajkowski, and my editor, Erika Tsang, and the whole team of professionals at Avon Books. May you all get what you want for Christmas!

  About the Author

  KERRELYN SPARKS’s first paranormal romance, How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire, zoomed out of the bat cave so fast it became Borders’ bestselling debut romance of 2005. Each book in the Love at Stake series has become a USA Today bestseller. When the fourth book, The Undead Next Door, landed on the New York Times bestseller list, even the Undead sat up and took notice, which made Kerrelyn a bit nervous.